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Performances of "soft//power" will run April 6-9.

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—ɫɫÀ² Michigan University's senior Bachelor of Fine Arts dance majors will present their Graduating Presentations in Dance Concert Thursday through Sunday, April 6-9. The concert, "soft//power," will showcase new choreography by seniors Erzsi Bernath, Sinclair Davis, Al Long, Megan Rancour and Cecily Shives. It also features a new work choreographed for the seniors by Terk Waters, a É«É«À² alumnus and former company member of the internationally acclaimed Complexions Contemporary Ballet.

All performances will be held in Dance Studio B on the third floor of the Dalton Center. Performances on Thursday through Saturday start at 8 p.m. There are also matinee performances at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $5 for students and $12 general admission and are available from Miller Auditorium or by calling (269) 387-2300 or (800) 228-9858.

As the last performance event for the five seniors before they enter the dance profession, these Graduating Presentations in Dance serve as the culminating project for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance degree.

The senior choreographers have created dances that reflects their interests and unique approach to movement. Bernath's dance explores physical, intellectual and emotional movement triggers. Davis' modern dance explores the path of finding one’s identity. Long's dance explores communication challenges between the deaf and hearing communities. The piece incorporates a mix of sign language and more traditional dance movement. Rancour's dance explores the themes of doubt and hope, and Shives' contemporary ballet celebrates the strength and unity among women.

Waters' dance, "Miss É«É«À²," questions women's relationships to beauty and behavior within the quintessentially American competition: the beauty pageant. The five seniors commissioned "Miss É«É«À²" and received financial support from Partners in Dance and Orchesis Dance Society. More than 40 dance majors will perform in the concert.

For more information, contact Megan Rancour at (630) 797-1550 or @email.

For more É«É«À² news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.